Information for 
Home Builders 


The -Atlas Portland (ement Company 


25 Broadway, New York, NY. 
(Chicago Birmingham Independence, Kans. 


RESIDENCE AT HARTSDALE, NEW YORK 


Caretto, Forster & King, Archttects 


Your Home 


HE home you are planning to build is to be distinctively your 

home. It must be beautiful, and practical, and express your 

individual taste and refinement. It must have the advantages of 
the latest developments in construction and every other desirable quality 
that can be put into a home, to give lasting satisfaction, minus regrets. 


Therefore, you will be interested in considering the elements entering 
into home construction: 


1. What is required in a thoroughly satisfactory home? 

2. What materials and types of construction can be used? 

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? 

4. What is the newest development in artistic home construction? 


These are discussed impartially so you can consider all the 
possibilities before deciding which form of construction is most desirable. 


Such is the purpose of this book. 


Before deciding, the matter will, of course, be discussed thoroughly 
with your architect. His study of your requirements and his broad ex- 
perience will help you secure a home which will give everything you desire 
to a greater degree than is possible in any other way—and at considerably 
less cost. 


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RESIDENCE NEAR SEATTLE, WASH. 


Copyright 1921, The Atlas Portland Cement Co. New York 


RESIDENCE, HACKENSACK, N. J. 
Frank Eurich, Jr., Architeet 


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RESIDENCE, FOREST HILLS, L. I. 
Albro & Lindeberg, Architects 


What You Want The principal 
Pern rer ae = Ola lites: de> 


sired in a home, and which determine, 
therefore, to a great extent the choice 
of material or kind of construction are: 
Beauty Resistance to fire 
Durability Low first cost 
Resistance to heat and cold Low upkeep 

The principal kinds of construction 
which offer the advantages desired in 
greater or less degree are: 


Wood 
Brick 


None of these have all the desired ad- 
vantages. So they will all be considered 
with their advantages and disadvantages. 
Then you will know which will give the 
best average of the qualities you wish. 


Stone Reinforced Concrete 
Concrete Block Stucco 


Wood This is the most common 
oes (Ot, Of -coustruction, _ All 
builders understand it. It is easiest to 
build, lowest in first cost, and can be 
built attractively. 

However, it offers no resistance to 
fire, either from within or without. Its 
durability and continued attractiveness 
depend on frequent, thorough painting. 


Brick homes are of two general 
kinds: 


1. Plain brick, which depends for its 
beauty largely on decoration with 
stone or wood. 


Brick 


2. Fancy or tapestry brick, which, 
like stone, is decidedly beautiful in 
itself. 

A well-built brick home is warm in 
winter and cool in summer. It lasts. 
Repair and painting costs are low. It 
gives good protection against fire from 
the outside, especially if the roof be 
slate or tile. 


Plain brick costs more than wood, 
and fancy or tapestry brick consid- 
erably more. But both make beautiful 
and satisfactory homes. 


Stone Stone possesses in a high de- 
gree most of the qualities de- 
sired by the house-owner—beauty, per- 
manence, fire-protection, winter and 
summer comfort, low cost for repairs, 
etc. However, the very high first cost 
for material and labor has largely lim- 
ited the use of stone to expensive homes, 
except where stone is plentiful and close 
at hand. Stone is monumental in char- 
acter and requires spacious setting. 


This form of con- 
struction costs 
more than wood, but less than brick. 
It is durable, requires no painting or 
upkeep, and protects against fire from 
the outside. It makes a house cool in 
summer, and warm in winter. It is 
simple and substantial rather than beau- 
tiful, but pleasing effects are possible, 
especially if used in conjunction with 
brick or wood or stucco. 


Concrete Blocks 


Reinforced Concrete ‘reinforced 
ne. ec ONC rete 


house, if built with fireproof floors and 
roof, is fire-safe from within and 
without. It secures lowest insurance 
rates, is a permanent structure, and 
requires almost no upkeep. It offers 
possibilities of good design in simple 
mass effects at about the same cost as 
brick; but elaborate designs increase its 
cost considerably. 


Stucco Good stucco is beautiful and 

can be made attractively in- 
dividual in design and treatment. It 
is lasting. It is warm in winter and 


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RESIDENCE, HARTFORD, CONN. 
A. Raymond Ellis, Architect 


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RESIDENCE, MOORESTOWN, N. J. 
J. Fletcher Street, Architect 


6 


cool in summer. It affords good pro- 
tection against fire from the outside. 


The first cost of a stucco home is lhow— 
almost as low as wood. Upkeep is very 
low—no painting being required, except 
for wood trim. 


What Stucco zy Stucco is a mix- 
Se ee etre ..Of- ie ortland 
cement, sand, lime and water worked 
into a plastic mass and used as follows: 


Stucco on wood lath or stucco board 
(With wood sheathing) 


Stucco on metal lath 
(With or without sheathing) 


Stucco on hollow tile 
Stucco on concrete 
Stucco on brick 


Each of these methods brings good 
results, though some afford greater 
fire protection, and are more durable, 
than others. 


This is the 
most inex- 
pensive 
LOn nl. kt 
costs less than brick and almost as 
little as wood. It is used where low 
first cost is the dominant consideration. 


Stucco on Wood Lath 


or Stucco Board 


Stucco on 1. Metal Lath on wood 
er eae sheathing. 


Metal Lath 1 Ribbed metal lath 
without wood sheathing. 

If metal lath en wood sheathing is 
used, the stucco bond is somewhat 
stronger and is reinforced. It is a 
better form of construction than stucco 
on wood lath. 

If metal lath with high ribs is used, 
wood sheathing is not required. The 
ribbed lath is attached direct to the studs 


or supports in a way that allows inde- 
é 


pendent freedom of movement in ex- 
pansion and contraction. By this 
method the possibility of cracking is 
avoided. The ribs also act as_ rein- 
forcing and strengthen the wall. 

In this type of construction, stucco 
is applied on the inside of the metal 
lath (between the studs) as well as on 
the outside. The result is a strong 
fireproof monolithic wall which keeps the 
house cool in summer and warm in 
winter. 


In this method, hollow 
_ tile blocks are used in 
Hollow Tile place of wood studs 

and sheathing, and the 
stucco is applied directly to the tile. If 
fireproof roof and floors are used with 
hollow tile walls, complete fire protec- 
tion is secured. 


Stucco on 


The cost of stucco on hollow tile is 
somewhat higher than the other forms 
of stucco construction (except stucco on 
brick) but it is one of the best types and 
its use is increasing. 


Stucco om Stucco can be applied on 
— both reinforced concrete 
and concrete blocks, re- 
sulting in permanent, fire- 
proof construction at a trifle lower first 
cost than stucco on hollow tile and about 
the same first cost as stucco on ribbed 
metal lath (without wood sheathing). 


Concrete 


Stucco om ‘This construction has 
—,__ about the same high de- 
Brick gree of fire protection as 
stucco on hollow tile, but 
being somewhat more expensive, is sel- 
dom used for new homes. Stucco is 
often used, however, for “‘over-coating”’ 
or renovating old brick houses. 


ia BE 


= SS , 


RESIDENCE, JAMESTOWN, N. Y. 
A. J. Bodker, Architect 


Stucco Textures 


The greatest development in stucco 
finishes has been the realization of 
the possibilities of a plastic medium 
wherein to work on the exterior of a 
building. The variety of textures that 
can be obtained is limited only by the 
ingenuity and artistry of the architect 
or the stucco contractor. 


Any number of methods may be used 
in its application—from special tools to 
the bare hands. Interesting effects are 
also possible by unusual handling of the 
ordinary trowel. 

Many good examples of artistic surface 
treatment are shown in another publica- 
tion entitled ‘‘Guide to Good Stucco.”’ 


STUCCO SURFACE TREATMENT THAT 
POSSESSES DISTINCTION 


Coloring Stucco 


Stucco may be colored in two ways; 
by the use of mineral pigments, or 
colored sands and stone chips. For 
colored stucco, and by this is meant 
also the lighter shades and tints, 
ATLAS WHITE Portland Cement 
makes possible true color values. The 
ordinary grey cement absorbs and mud- 
dies the tone. The pure white cement 
gives them their beauty. 


The preferable method of coloring 
stucco is by using white cement and 
colored sands or stone chips. These 
give most delicate and interesting 
color effects, and at the same time 
give a color which is permanent. This 
method also has the value of giv- 
ing a texture which in itself sets off 
more perfectly the combination of 
materials. 


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RESIDENCE, GERMANTOWN, PA, 
Carl A. Zeigler, Architect 


9 


Summary 


For beauty in very large houses, color 
stucco, stone and fancy brick are first. 
For smaller homes, stucco gives the 
greatest range of individuality, with 
wood and fancy brick second. 

For durability, fire protection and re- 
sistance to heat and cold, concrete is 
highest, stone second, better forms of 
stucco third; next brick, and last, wood. 

For low first cost, first wood, next 
stucco, then concrete blocks, brick, and 
reinforced concrete, and finally, stone. 

For low upkeep (painting and repairs), 
reinforced concrete, stone, stucco, con- 
crete blocks and brick are about equal. 
Wood is very costly. 

Considering first costs, repairs, beauty 
individuality, and all the other desir- 
able elements entering into home con- 
struction, stucco offers the best com- 
bination of advantages for most homes. 
This accounts for the recent and very 
rapid growth of stucco construction. 

It also accounts for the increased use 
of stucco for private garages. Stucco 
garages are attractive and require no 
painting and no repairs. They have 
considerable fire protection—important 
because of the value of the motor car. 

Whatever the kind of home you build, 
the results will necessarily depend in a 
measure upon good workmanship and 
good material. Any home can be poorly 
built. Decide to build well. A well- 
built house requires less repairing and 
upkeep and gives far greater satisfac- 
tion. 


Your Architect 


Every prospective home _ builder 
should retain an architect. He is fam- 
iliar with all types of home construction 
and arrangement, knows what to do 
and what not to do, and after a study of 
individual desires comes nearest to build- 
ing the beautiful home—and the kind 
of home—you wish. He is familiar 
with the work and experience of dif- 
ferent contractors and knows _ better 
than to be governed by price alone. 
He also knows where to economize and 
where not to economize. He will save 
money, avoid mistakes, and relieve you 
of all details. 


Further Information 


In every book—however clearly writ- 
ten—some points may require greater 
clearness, more detailed explanation. 
Write us about any such points in this 
book. We are anxious to have you 
know as much as possible about home 
building before you proceed.» In this 
respect there is no limit to the co- 
operation we offer you, your architect 
and your builder. 

Any of the following books will gladly 
be sent on request: 

“Building a Bungalow” 
“New Homes for Old’”’ 
“Choosing the Garage”’ 


“Concrete on the Farm” ° 
The Atlas Portland Cement Company, 
25 Broadway, New York, or Corn 
Exchange Bank Building, Chicago. 


HE possibilities of stucco in home construction can only be touched upon in this brief brochure, but the 
subject is thoroughly covered in a booklet entitled ‘Guide to Good Stucco,” which contains a number of 
photographic illustrations of beautiful homes and various stucco textures, showing what can be accomplished 


in artistic treatment of stucco surfaces. 


A copy of “Guide to Good Stucco” will be mailed you without charge upon request. 


Address The Atlas 


Portland Cement Company, New York, Chicago or Birmingham. 


RESIDENCE NEAR SEATTLE, WASH. 
D. J. Myers, Architect 


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RESIDENCE, BEDFORD HILLS, N. Y. 
Aymar Embury II, Architect 


11 


RESIDENCE, SO. ORANGE, N. J. 
Davis, McGrath & Kiessling, A xehitects 


RESIDENCE, SO. ORANGE, N. J. 
Davis, McGrath & Kiessling, Architects 


12 


RESIDENCE, ALBANY, N. Y. RESIDENCE, DOUGLASTON, L. I. 
D. Stuart Douglas, Architect Norman McGlashan, Architect 


oe 


RESIDENCE, SYRACUSE, N. Y. RESIDENCE, MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. 
Harry D. Phoenix, Architect Buechner & Orth, Architects 


NT ea Re ee 


RESIDENCE, MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. RESIDENCE, MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. 
W. W. Purdy, Architect Irving Goldstein, Architect 


13 


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RESIDENCE, DONGAN HILLS, S. I. 
Aymar Embury II, Architect 


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RESIDENCE, GERMANTOWN, PA. 
Druckenmiller, Stackhouse & Williams, Architects 


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RESIDENCE, ENGLEWOOD, N. J. 
Davis, McGrath & Kiessling, Architects 


RESIDENCE, BRONXVILLE, N. Y 
Bates & How, Architects 


15 


Atlas Portland Cement 


In every type of home construction, 
Portland Cement is used to some extent. 
As manufacturers of the most-used Port- 
land cement, we have come in contact 
with all types of construction. The in- 
formation given on the advantages and 
disadvantages of the various construc- 
tion is the result of this experience. 
You are now in a position to discuss 
with understanding these different types 
with your architect and appreciate the 
wisdom of his recommendations for 
good construction and good workman- 
ship rather than to decide entirely on 


price or any other single consideration. 

Whichever type of construction you 
choose, Atlas Portland Cement, “‘The 
Standard by which all other makes are 
measured” will give the same excellent 
result that the United States Govern- 
ment secured in its use of over 7,500,000 
barrels for the Panama Canal. 

Atlas is high-grade, uniform and re- 
liable. The qualities have commended 
it to architects, engineers, and con- 
tractors to such an extent that it is the 
leading and most-used cement in the 
world. 


Atlas-W hite 


Non-Staining Portland Cement 


Atlas-White is the cement that made 
color stucco possible. It is a pure 
white, non-staining Portland cement of 
the highest quality and shows the true 
color values of color aggregates or 
mineral pigments. The warm, mellow 
buffs, creams and browns so much de- 
sired, and the interesting variation and 
blending of color tones and textures 
illustrated in this book are results of 
the use of Atlas-White. Atlas-White 


is also used to secure a_ beautiful, 
pure white finish for stucco homes, 
garages, pergolas, and in making foun- 
tains, sun dials, garden seats, etc. It 
affords a very effective background 
for trailing vines, shrubbery and ever- 
greens. 

Atlas-White, because of its non-stain- 
ing quality, gives a beautiful white-joint 
when used for pointing and setting 
stone, tile and _ brick. 


The Atlas Portland Cement Company 
25 Broadway, New York, N. Y. 
Birmingham 


St. Louis 
Kansas City 


Chicago 


Philadelphia 
Omaha 


Boston 


Buffalo 


Independence, Kans. 


Des Moines Dayton 
Jacksonville, Fla. 


The Read Printing Co., New York 


